Local

RIVERSIDE, CA – While teens are surrounded by a world of social media, selfies and hashtags, one teen in Fontana is making a difference by breaking the mold of conformity. Her name is Brittany Evans, 18, and unlike most teens Brittany would rather be about her business than taking tons of pictures to show off to her friends. She not only has beauty and brains but she is the first in her family to become an inventor.

Her invention is called Sparkbudz (patent pending) it is an all new earphone in which you can magnetically attach and detach when you are alone or with a friend. “It’s a cool concept, I love it!” says Brittany. “Every day I wake up and thank God for such an amazing, witty invention”.

In addition to her building her brand, Ms. Evans is also finishing her education in communications at Riverside Community College. After completing her degree, her plans are to become a motivational speaker and mentor, and she is already getting a jump start through speaking engagements at her local church.

“I myself have been bullied, threatened and been back stabbed. I never want to see anyone go through what I have encountered”, Evans states.

Since then she has forgiven her enemies and works hard to fight against bullying.

She continues, “You don’t have to start a big campaign to fight against bullying. You can start off small by giving advice to a friend or peer who is being bullied, or ultimately by reporting it!:

The Sparkbudz inventor is giving back through her work that she currently does at her school in assisting others in their public speaking abilities. With her earnings that she makes, she donates 10 percent towards her tithes and offering and 80 percent towards her God given plan.

“God has blessed me tremendously to the point where I feel I don’t deserve it. I give not because I have to but because I want to,” Evans said.

ONTARIO, CA – As the dog days of summer come to an end and the regular summer swim season closes, San Bernardino County Regional Parks hosts its Doggie Pool-ooza event at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park in Ontario on Saturday, September 6th. During this annual event owners can bring their four legged pals, who have had to endure the summer in a fur coat, for one last dip in the cool pool.

The event is sponsored by the Rancho Regional Veterinary Hospital, the VCA Central Animal Hospital, and Ontario Spay and Neuter, who will be providing discounted nail trimming for $5 and $15 micro-chipping. The event will also include vendor booths, Li’l Dog Races and other contests, such as the K-9 Swimsuit Competition, Talent Show and Barking contest. There will be demonstrations on pet first-aid and a Humane Society workshop. Don’t miss the Disc Dogs Frisbee Show at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.

If you don’t already have a pet, there will be on-site adoption opportunities from Animals R First Fund, Grey Save, Rescue Works!, Upland Animal Services, and Hope to Home for Cats. There will be a food truck area for all human attendees, including the Baby’s Bad-Ass Burgers, the Bakery Truck, California Grill Truck, Cousin’s Maine Lobster, and the Rolling Sushi Truck. To cool the humans off, Snowie’s California will have their shaved ice on sale including a syrup station to put your own flavors on the icy treat.

Friends of Regional Parks will there be collecting slightly used/clean blankets, bags of dry dog food, and other dog supplies to be donated to local pet shelters. Each item donated will enter participants into a drawing for fabulous pet prizes.

Canine participants must be six-months-old, have a current license and proof of up-to-date vaccinations, and must be on a six-foot leash when not in the pool.

Entry fee is $5 per person and $1 per canine participant, parking is free with admission. The event is on Saturday, September 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park. The park is located at 800 North Archibald Avenue, Ontario, Ca 91764. For more information call the San Bernardino Regional Parks Department at (909) 387-2461.

Local families are scrambling to check off their back-to-school lists, buying supplies, clothes and more. But doctors say it’s important to add one more item to that list — a checkup for your child’s health. That’s why doctors at local American Family Care and AFC/Doctors Express centers have created the ABCs of Back to School Health.

“Making sure your child is up to date on immunizations and is physically fit for school can prevent a number of problems down the line,” said Dr. Bruce Irwin, CEO of American Family Care and AFC/Doctors Express, a local medical practice. “Our clinics offer back to school physicals and immunizations daily, and we’re open late, so busy families can fit a visit into their schedules.”

Athlete Awareness: Heat-related illnesses often strike during summer/ fall sports prep. A recent study found that athlete heat death rates are rising with 18 deaths between 2005 and 2009, and 20-22 more since 2010. High school football players account for most of the deaths.

The National Athletic Trainers Association says athletes can do their part to stay healthy in the heat and avoid dangerous conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Work slowly to build up endurance in hot situations.
• Get plenty of sleep
• Drink lots of fluids before, during and after workouts.
• Quick cooling is key to preventing deaths; ice baths can save lives.

Better Backpack: Heavy backpacks can strain kids’ muscles and can cause long term damage over a period of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found the average sixth-grader carries a backpack weighing more than 18 pounds, with some reaching as much as 30 pounds. The academy recommends that backpacks weigh no more than 10 to 20 percent of a child’s weight.

The AAP offers some tips for better backpacks.
• Backpacks with shoulder straps and padded backs can better distribute the weight of a backpack. Make sure your child uses both shoulder straps on their backpack. Putting the entire weight of the backpack on one shoulder can strain muscles.
• Organize your child’s backpack with heavier items close to the center of the back.
• Use the available compartments to distribute items equally throughout the pack.
• Rolling backpacks can be great for heavier loads, but your child must be able to carry it up the stairs or through inclement weather.

Clean Hands and Surfaces: Since children are highly likely to be exposed to germs at school, here are some of the most common illnesses that strike children during the school year.
• Meningitis and meningococcal disease
• Influenza
• Norovirus
• MRSA (staph)
• Pertussis (whooping cough)

Simple safety tips like regular hand washing and up-to-date immunizations can help prevent the spread of these infections. Local doctors say a back to school checkup can make sure your child is healthy enough for the school environment. A quick checkup offers a chance to catch up on vaccines, get a doctor’s note for necessary medications at school or get a sports physical.

(Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, National Athletics Trainers Association, National Institutes for Health, Clinical Infectious Diseases journal, U.S. News and World Report)